Jeanette Mason was born on November 18, 1938, in St. Petersburg, FL to Nathaniel Adams and Elizabeth Robinson. In 1945, at the age of seven she moved with her family to San Francisco, CA. Jeanette was raised in the historic Western Addition with her beloved mother, affectionately known as “Big Mama. As the eldest sibling, Jeanette was known for her loving and protective spirit towards her family. She attended John Muir Elementary School, Everett Middle School, and later Mission High School in San Francisco.

At a young age, Jeanette was baptized at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and later became a member of El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. In the late 1990s, she rededicated her life to Christ at Civic Center Church of Christ. She later returned to El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church where her faith continued to guide her throughout her life.

In the early 1950s, Jeanette met James Zell Walker Jr. at a sock hop in San Francisco. Their relationship led to marriage in 1955, and together they moved to Klamath Falls, OR to begin building their family and had two children James Zell Walker II and Debra Walker. During her time in Klamath Falls, Jeanette formed a lifelong friendship with Artilia (fondly known as Tia) Matthews. The two shared a love for elegant social gatherings, dressing up, and spending cherished time with family and friends.

A few years later the family relocated to the Albina district of Portland, a thriving center of Black culture, family life, and business. There they welcomed three more children: Ronnetta Walker, Freda Walker and James Zell Walker III. Jeanette devoted herself to being a loving homemaker while also assisting her husband with their newspaper, The Northwest Clarion Defender. Together, they served the community by distributing food boxes and toys to families in need. The couple also organized the “Ms. Tan Pageant” to honor black women during the 1960s. Unfortunately, their marriage ended and Jeanette returned to San Francisco in 1964.

While back in San Francisco, Jeanette began a new chapter in her life working at the US Postal Services and then as a teacher’s assistant at Cathedral Middle School. Soon after, she met Nathaniel Mason. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and welcomed their daughter, Deidra Mason in 1967. Jeanette and Nathaniel married in 1969. They made a home in the Martin Luther King Cooperative in the Fillmore District. Their household quickly became a gathering place for family and friends to share in holidays, celebrations, laughter, and good food. Around this same time, Jeanette reconnected with her childhood friend from Everett Middle School, Felicia Myrick, with whom she shared decades of daily conversations, laughter, and treasured memories.

Resilient and hardworking, Jeanette pursued clerical training through classes at San Francisco City College. In 1976, she began her civil service career for the City and County of San Francisco as Clerk Typist working her way up to a Personnel Analyst where she faithfully served until her retirement in 1997.

As her life evolved, she was affectionately known as “Granny” and “Nanu,”. Jeanette became known for her vibrant spirit, and the joy she found in bringing family and friends together. She found happiness in sports, knitting, cooking, reading Stephen King novels, watching General Hospital, gambling, learning world history facts, and taking bus rides through San Francisco while admiring the city’s historic architecture. Whether she was hosting lively San Francisco 49ers football gatherings, frying fish on Fridays, spending a day at the racetrack, or surrounding herself with her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, Jeanette embraced life with laughter, perseverance, and love.

Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth Robinson and Nathaniel Adams; her brother, John Rover; her son, James Walker II; and her grandsons, Johnathan Walker and James Walker.

Her memory will be cherished by her loving children: Debra Walker, Ronnetta Walker, Freda Walker, James (Zelton) Walker, and Deidra Mason; her beloved grandchildren James (Dominic) Walker, Tiffany Gage, Mechelle Allen, Paris Walker, Timothy Hall, DeQuante Allen, Michael Franklin, Zachariah Walker, Mikayla Provost, Tobias Walker and Aaliyah Harriston; 10 great-grandchildren; her devoted sisters Carolyn Holley and La’Vette Evans; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and extended family members.

Jeanette’s legacy is one of triumph, growth, laughter and lasting memories that will remain with those who knew and loved her.